Product Details

• Actors: Takehiro Konishi, Kiyoshi Yamazaki
• Directors: Paul Moser
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Dragon Associates Inc.
• VHS Release Date: April 16, 1999
• Run Time: 55 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305435235
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #416,869 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal Volume 124 No. 11 June 1999

"The production values of this video are wonderful: the narration is clear and concise, and the amount and value of information superb. Highly recommended!"

Product Description

Here for the first time we have a full and accurate account of the development of Japanese karate. It is a powerful story, illustrated with rare photographs by the son and senior students of Yasuhiro Konishi, one of its foremost pioneers. The founding fathers of modern karate were Chojun Miyagi, Choki Motobu, Kenwa Mabuni, Gichin Funakoshi, and Yasuhiro Konishi. Under their guidance the Okinawan martial art of karate went through a period of intense development from which emerged a purely Japanese form. This program includes the history of the Shotokan and Ryobukai schools, training methods Bogyo Rokkyodo,(six defensive movements) Hijiate Roppo, (Six elbow strikes) and Tegatana, (Knife hand attacks) as well as the Kata Seiryu, Rohai, Jitte, and Shushi no Kon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best all-time martial arts documentaries., June 29, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Japanese Karate - Ryobukai & Shotokan (Tsunami) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Thanks to professional historians, such as David Chambers, much information about the history of karate is now available. The information was verified, cross-checked and validated. This particular video describes the _critical_ role Yasuhiro Konishi played in the development and acceptance of karate in Japan. There may never have been a "Shotokan" legacy if it wasn't for Konishi's influence. The production quality is also first-rate, comparable to any high-quality documentary of any genre or topic. This is a MUST-HAVE for any serious traditional karateka.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good enough for network tv. Great history, super technique., April 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Japanese Karate - Ryobukai & Shotokan (Tsunami) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I bought this video because I heard it was a best-seller in Japan, even though it was made in the US. Anybody that sees it can understand why. The history is fascinating; the top level demonstrations are awesome and the overall production quality the sort of thing you'd expect from A&E or the Discovery Channel. I never get tired of watching it.